What will the eSports Olympics look like? The question remains unanswered, fifteen months after the event's creation was announced. The IOC is proceeding cautiously. In February, it had decided to postpone the first edition to 2027On Thursday, he even abandoned his idea of launching these Games with his Saudi partner. A reversal that, the IOC assures, in no way calls into question his ambition.
A complicated marriage to manage
The IOC maintained contact with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee throughout the year. As a founding partner, the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) was expected to provide his expertise in game selection, tournament structure and ecosystem engagement Eight months ago, Thomas Bach asserted that there was " a very clear roadmap for the very first eSports Olympics The leader even declared that the Games were becoming a reality ». He clearly got carried away. The parties decided to end their cooperation, from a common agreement ", and there is still a long way to go before the event materializes.
« There were many unknowns regarding the organization of the event, the selection process, the choice of games, the relationships between the International Federations, the publishers, the IOC… This summer, when Saudi Arabia announced it would host the Nations Cup in November 2026, it was clear that this could influence the IOC's thinking. It was starting to be a lot of events in the same territory and in a short period of time.tSylvie Le Maux, in charge of eSports at the CNOSF, points out, for Francs Jeux. I had the impression of a marriage that no one was truly convinced of, between very different parties. If you look at it pragmatically, it wouldn't have worked out that way. Discussions between the International Federations (IFs) and game publishers are complicated, that's a given. If we can't get everyone on the same page, it's better to take a break. »
New approach
In the statement released on Thursday, the IOC said it was " determined to pursue his ambition ", by following its own path and adopting « a new approach to the eSports Olympics »The project is therefore still relevant, but its precise outlines remain to be defined.
« Will the IOC only include games related to International Games, without including the publishers, who will be involved in the Nations Cup? Can the IOC really stray so far into something that isn't part of its core identity, which is sport as a physical activity? On the other hand, League of Legends and Counter-Strike are esports in their purest form. You can't have an esports Games without including them; you lose all the communities. If it's just to replicate the federations we already have at the Olympic Games, is there any point? ", asks Sylvie Le Maux, " not surprised that these reflections are being brought up again ».
This pause will leave us with " a little breathing room to take the time to explain, to familiarize the federations, without being pressured by the need to quickly select a French team " she continued. The IOC has stated its objective of organizing the first edition as soon as possible without being more specific at this stage.
